As I write this it’s snowing and has been for some days now.  It’s easy to grow frustrated as we spin tires and slide around or scoop another shovel-full of snow. 

However, it’s helpful to remember that the snow feeds our creeks and rivers.  The snow feeds our spring growing cycle allowing our local farmers to harvest grass for cattle.  This snow feeds our local economy with thousands employed at area ski hills.  As frustrating as it is, it actually gives so much.  The same can be said with other cold and dark seasons in our lives.  Peel back a layer and we may find many benefits down the road. 

As we grow weary of case counts and statistics and testing for Covid, we know that God is working in our hearts to appreciate things we once took for granted.  I for one am looking forward to when routine events no longer involve a risk calculation.  The constant decision making is exhausting.  But God can work, even in the midst of this.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:4-5).

Stay encouraged because even though winter feels like it will never end, it always does.